Jan Christiaan Smuts

SMUTS, JAN CHRISTIAAN (187o– ), South African statesman and general, was born on May 24, 1870 near Riebeek West, Malmesbury district, Cape Colony, the son of J. A. Smuts and Catharina de Vries. In 1886 he commenced his studies at Stellenbosch, and in 1891 went to Cambridge, where his career was brilliant. In 1895 he was admitted to the Cape Town bar. In Oct. 1895 his first political speech was delivered at Kimberley, where, as a result of the understanding between Jan Hofmeyr and Rhodes, he defended the latter's policy. The Jameson Raid (Jan. 1896), changed the whole complexion of South African politics. Smuts ranged himself on the side of the Transvaal, and shortly afterwards joined the Bar at Johannesburg. In 1898, though two years under the legal age, he was made state attorney by President Kruger, and took part in the negotiations with the British agent at Pretoria on the franchise. He accompanied Kruger to the abortive conference with Milner at Bloemfontein in July 1899.

In the early stages of the Boer War, Smuts was employed in legal and organising work, but on the occupation of Pretoria, in 1900, he joined the Boer field forces. From the Eastern Trans vaal, where his Government was hard pushed, he made his way to the West, where he fought under De la Rey. Subsequently he acted as commander-in-chief of the Boer and Cape rebel com mandoes in the Cape. He was besieging a mining camp in Nama qualand, when Botha sent for him to take part in the peace negotiations at Vereeniging (1902). He threw in his weight on the side of those who urged a compromise, as against the in transigent commandants.

After peace, Smuts became a strong and active protagonist of Botha's policy—loyalty to the new order, and racial concilia tion. Practising as a barrister at Pretoria, he spent a good deal of time in the reconstruction of the remnants of the Boer nation and together with Botha and other leaders he met Joseph Cham berlain at Pretoria. The Boers, supported by part of the British population, strongly opposed several points in Milner's policy, e.g., the importation of Chinese coolies for the gold mines, and Smuts was among those who refused Milner's offer of seats in the nominated Legislative Council.

Het Volk.

In 1904 Botha and Smuts founded the political organisation open to both races known as "Het Volk." Early in 1906 Smuts visited London, where he worked for fully respon sible government in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, which was granted in 1906. Early in 1907 elections for the Assembly were held. Smuts took a prominent part and was returned un opposed for Wonderboom (Pretoria). As colonial secretary, under Botha, he became the driving force of the Cabinet. In May 1908 Smuts openly declared for the union of the South African colonies. In October of that year, the National Conven tion, which eventually produced the South African Act, began its work. Smuts was one of the makers of the Act. In May 1910 Union was consummated. Smuts was elected member of the legislative assembly for Pretoria West, and became minister of the interior, mines and defence. In 1911 the South African party was founded at Bloemfontein, where Smuts foreshadowed the political difficulties ahead. Early in 1912 he introduced his Defence bill, which powerfully affected the future of South Africa. A little later Smuts took over the treasury, retaining the portfolio of defence. During the Hertzog crisis, at the end of 1912, he did his utmost to prevent a split, but once the fateful step had been taken, he resolutely supported Botha. In July 1913 a revolutionary strike shook the Rand to its foundations. Botha and Smuts, at great personal risk (and unescorted) saved the situa tion at Johannesburg, after Lord Gladstone had sanctioned the use of Imperial troops to quell disturbances. In Jan. 1914 an attempted general strike was nipped in the bud by Smuts, who in record time rushed up the commandoes but recently organised under his Defence Act. The deportation of nine strike leaders on the S.S. "Umgeni," though authorised by the Cabinet, has been chiefly debited to Smuts by his opponents. A double Indem nity bill, covering the two revolts, led to a violent and pro tracted parliamentary debate.